The Minister for Local Transport Lilian Greenwood has highlighted the role intelligent transport technologies are playing in supporting the government’s wider transport objectives of delivering safer, easier and more efficient journeys.

In a video message played at the ITS UK Parliamentary Reception, the Minister pointed to the government’s recently published road safety strategy, which includes ambitious targets to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the road network, and said smarter solutions and greater use of technology will be essential to achieving them.

Ms Greenwood thanked industry stakeholders for their work with the Department for Transport on the Connected Vehicle Services Framework, which will establish nationwide standards for data-driven services designed to improve safety and network efficiency, including hazard warnings and alternative route guidance. She said an update on progress would be provided in the coming months.

She also outlined ongoing work to digitise road rules and traffic controls, including Digital Traffic Regulation Orders (D-TROs) and and the Digital Controller Interface Standard (DCIS), which will make information such as speed limits, traffic signals and traffic management systems available in digital formats.

She reaffirmed the government’s support for open and real-time transport data initiatives, including the Bus Open Data Service, Street Manager and the National Parking Platform, encouraging local authorities to join the latter to improve parking convenience for motorists.

Concluding, the Minister said the Department for Transport is committed to embracing technology and innovation and expressed its support for the ITS World Congress 2027 in Birmingham, describing it as an opportunity to showcase UK expertise and demonstrate how technology is helping to connect people and improve road safety.

(Picture – ITS UK)